The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-11-08
Ia member of ths o!I u,mmi,,,c }
lFor the Asheville CITIZEN.
For the Asheville CITIZEN.
A USEFUL INsTIT JTION, WHICH
cOMNENDs1 11rs, IF TO OUR

MeSSrS. Editors win you allow NE a
little space in your paper to speak of a
most excellent work that has been going
on among Us for the past three years un-
noticed and almost unknown. The
Kitchen Garden School is an assemblage
of little girls, who have not the best
advantages in their own homes, who
ceme together every Saturday for three
hours, and are met by some dozen ladies,
who give them instruction in the useful
arts of household life. For Instance,
they are taught to sweep, dust and thor.
oughly clean q room. with least damage
to furniture, carpet and room. To make
up bed properly and who that has tried
to sleep in an ill-made bed can lightly
regard the advantage of well made one.
To sort out the family mash and under
stand the process through which each
article must pass to accomplish the best
result with least damage. To do every
kind of plain needIe-Work, to cut and
make the garraenls Of a family. To cook,
making the most toothsome and whole
some dishes from the cheapest materials.
These, and every other department of
domestic life are taught in a pleasant
and attractive manner, and on the prin
ciple that "all work and no play makes
Jack dull boy" the teaching is varied
by games and songs, all directed towards
the development of the muscles, aud to
use 2 homely expression giving them
the use of themselves" Any one who
has contrasted the awkward, ungainly
movements of the clod hopper with the
erect and graceful carriage of the cultur-
ed lady or gentleman will readily see the
advantage of this point And besides all
this direct instruction comes the no less
powerful indirect advantage Of coming
into direct personal contact with refined,
cultivated ladies. The lessons of sweet
patience, selfcontrol and gentle courtesy
thus learned haYe an abiding influence.
l have spoken thus at length Of this
institution because'I think its claims up
on us have been disregarded. The few
ladies who have patiently perseVered in
this good work haYe not been sustained
by the ready help and sympathy of our
citizens. 1t is we'll knowh that AsheVille
people are ever ready to help on any
cause that appeals to their practical
common Sense; and the one mistake, to
my mind that the ladies have made has
been in hiding their light under bushel
so to speak; not letting the public know
enough OF the workings of the institution.
l will mention, just here, that the class
1OA luC nOIA 15 las
proved itself eagerly anxious to avail it.
self of its advantages, not only the little
girls, but their mothers showing their
appreciation. And the prompt and
regu ar attendance, the clean hands and
faces, tidy garments and we'll kept hair
speak of care and self. denial on the part
of both children and mothers The
teachers are often embarrassed by the
number of children. And now comes
the question how we, the outsiders, can
best upaold the hands and strengthen
the hearts of this little band of earnest
workers. The answer is very simple.
By contributing so cents annually to its
support. The ladies' now need $50.
Cannot 100 people among our 5000 in
habitants be found to give so cents TO
this noble charity? 1 blush when 1 ask
it. OF course We will. Then let uB not
wait 10 be called upon, but let US cheer
fully step up and hand our contribution
to either of the following ladies: Mrs.
Sluder, Mrs. Sawyer, Mrs. Hunt, Miss
Champion, Miss Lindsey, Miss Edwards,
Miss Penniman and Miss Patton.
Through the kindness of the managers
of the Ravenscroft property the ladies
have heretofore had the use oftwo rooms
free of rent. They are now deprived Of
this and are obliged to rent room which
will greatly increase their expenses.
And now l have said quite enough.
leaving 10 each one to consider for him
self the future good to grow out Of this
school. The influence upon each mans
life and work ofa tidy well kept home, a
thrifty cheerful presiding genius-ths
difference between a capable woman
and an ignorant, untidy inefficient one.